ZAMBOANGA CITY–The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) condemned the killing of its security guard in front of the CHR office on Mayor Vitaliano Agan Avenue here early on Sunday (Dec. 13).
Lawyer Jacqueline Ann de Guia, CHR executive director, released a statement on Monday (Dec. 14) “strongly condemning the brazen attack on the very grounds of the CHR.”
“It speaks of the pervasiveness of violence and the thick shroud of impunity that darken our society,“ De Guia said in the statement.
Ronilo Ramos Obenieta, 37, a resident of the village of San Jose Cawa-Cawa, and father of three, was preparing to go home when shot by unidentified men on a motorcycle past 5 a.m. on Sunday. He suffered three gunshot wounds in the chest.
He has been serving as CHR’s security guard for almost 10 years already.
De Guia said the crime also carried implications for the security and safety of the CHR as an institution because it happened in front of the commission’s regional office.
The killing of Obenieta, De Guia said, was “deeply concerning” because it happened amid “the prevalence of red-tagging and the continuing intimidation and disinformation” against the CHR.
CHR started an investigation of the killing.
De Guia, in the statement, asked the local police to conduct a parallel and thorough investigation “and hold the perpetrators accountable.”
The crime, she said, would require tighter security measures for the CHR.
“It is disheartening that violence persist amid the suffering in this period of pandemic crisis,” De Guia said. “The Filipino people deserve a just and humane society, free from violence and impunity,” she said.
Maj. Yashier Sarikin, spokesperson of the Zamboanga City police, said police already have several persons of interest in Obenieta’s case.
Sarikin said the gunmen were wearing full face helmet when they shot Obenieta.
De Guia and the CHR offered their condolences and prayers to the family of Obenieta. “We shall provide all necessary assistance to his bereaved wife and three daughters,” the statement said.